Washington D.C — In a dramatic turn of events that has sent ripples across global financial markets, United States President Donald Trump announced today that “Operation Epic Fury”—the month-long military campaign against Iran—could conclude within the next two to three weeks. Addressing reporters at the White House, the President indicated that a full diplomatic “deal” with Tehran might not even be necessary for the U.S. to begin its withdrawal, signaling a potential shift toward a unilateral exit strategy.
“We’ll be leaving very soon,” President Trump stated, adding that the exit could happen “within two weeks, maybe three.” The President is scheduled to address the nation in a televised broadcast tonight at 9:00 PM Eastern Time to provide further details on what he calls the “final phase” of the conflict.
“Get Your Own Oil”: Trump’s Message to Allies
The conflict, which began in late February 2026, has seen the Strait of Hormuz—a vital artery for 20% of the world’s oil supply—turned into a maritime battleground. While global powers have pleaded for U.S. intervention to keep the shipping lanes open, President Trump took a hardline isolationist stance today.
He told allies who have remained on the sidelines of the war to “get your own oil,” suggesting that the U.S. will not be responsible for policing the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely. “They’ll be able to fend for themselves,” Trump said, emphasizing that the U.S. energy independence means the blockade affects other nations far more than the American economy.
Iran Strikes Back: Threats to Apple, Google, and Nvidia
Even as talk of de-escalation grows, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a chilling warning. Tehran has threatened to target the regional offices and infrastructure of major American technology firms—including Apple, Google, Meta, Nvidia, and Tesla—starting tonight at 8:00 PM Tehran time.
The IRGC claims these firms are complicit in “targeted assassinations” of Iranian leaders. A statement from Tehran advised employees of 18 specific U.S. companies to “immediately leave their workplaces to preserve their lives.” This threat follows a series of joint U.S.-Israeli precision strikes on Iranian military sites and leadership hubs over the past 48 hours.
India Breathes a Sigh of Relief as Markets Surge
The news of a possible ceasefire has brought immediate relief to the Indian economy. On the first day of the new financial year, the BSE Sensex surged by over 1,100 points, while the Nifty 50 gained 348 points. Investors are hopeful that a resolution will stabilize Brent crude oil prices, which had recently peaked near $126 per barrel.
In a positive development for India’s energy security, several Indian Liquefied Natural Gas (LPG) ships that were previously stranded near the conflict zone have reportedly exited the area safely. However, shipping costs remain high as many vessels continue to reroute around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope to avoid the volatile Gulf region.
The China-Pakistan Peace Initiative
While the U.S. signals a withdrawal, China and Pakistan have stepped into the diplomatic vacuum. In a joint meeting held in Beijing, the two nations proposed a five-point peace plan. The plan calls for:
- An immediate ceasefire and start of peace talks.
- Respect for the borders and sovereignty of all Gulf nations.
- Protection of civilians and non-military infrastructure like desalination plants.
- Immediate restoration of normal shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Guaranteed safety for commercial crews and vessels.
Chinese officials emphasized that “dialogue and diplomacy remain the only way to resolve the conflict,” highlighting the severe economic damage caused by the closure of regional oil fields in Iraq and Kuwait.
Israel’s Continued Strikes
Israel carried out fresh strikes on Iranian sites, including targets in and around Tehran, even as Trump prepares his national address. Israeli officials have said they will keep pressure on Iran’s military and nuclear-related facilities. The conflict began on February 28 with surprise US-Israeli airstrikes that killed several top Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Since then, both sides have exchanged attacks. Iran has hit back at Israeli and US-linked targets in the region, while the US and Israel have focused on degrading Iran’s air defences, missile capabilities and energy infrastructure.
Concerns Over Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. Normally, about one-fifth of global oil and a large part of liquefied natural gas passes through it. Since early March, Iran has restricted shipping, attacked some vessels and reportedly charged high fees for safe passage. This has caused big disruptions in energy supplies and pushed oil prices higher at times.
Trump has repeatedly said the US does not need to stay to keep the strait open. He told allies, including European countries, to handle it themselves or buy more oil from America. Some reports say the UAE is trying to build a coalition to reopen the strait by force, but no firm action has been taken yet.
China and Pakistan Call for Ceasefire
China and Pakistan have jointly proposed a five-point peace plan. They called for an immediate ceasefire, protection of civilian areas, safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and the start of peace talks backed by the United Nations. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar discussed the issue in Beijing and stressed the need to stop the conflict from spreading.
This diplomatic move comes as many countries worry about rising energy prices and the risk of the war affecting the wider region.
Impact on India
For India, the disruptions have affected LPG supplies. However, the government has reported that several India-bound LPG tankers have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz in recent days. Two vessels — BW Tyr and BW Elm — carrying about 94,000 metric tons of LPG have transited and are heading to Mumbai and New Mangalore. Earlier ships like Jag Vasant and Pine Gas also reached safely. Officials say more vessels are expected in the coming days, which should help ease pressure on domestic cooking gas supplies.
India has been carefully watching the situation because it depends on the Gulf region for a large part of its oil and gas needs.
Market Reactions
Global stock markets surged on hopes of de-escalation after Trump’s comments. Investors are betting that an end to major US operations could bring some stability. Oil prices, however, remained around the $100 per barrel mark for Brent crude, showing mixed signals. Earlier in the conflict, prices had spiked sharply due to fears of long supply disruptions.
Experts say that even if fighting slows, full recovery of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz may take time.
What Happens Next?
President Trump’s address to the nation tonight is being watched closely. Many expect him to explain the current military situation, future plans for US forces, and his views on the role of allies. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the speech will provide an “important update on Iran.”
Iran has so far shown no sign of accepting US conditions for a quick ceasefire. Israel continues its own operations. The coming days will be critical to see whether talks gain momentum or the conflict drags on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why is the U.S. leaving the war without a peace deal?
President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have stated that the primary objective—the destruction of Iran’s nuclear capabilities and its air force—has been largely achieved. The administration believes that continuing the war indefinitely does not serve U.S. interests, especially since the U.S. is now a net exporter of energy.
Q2: What is the “50% Wage Rule” mentioned in the news today?
This refers to the new Indian Labour Codes effective from April 1, 2026. It mandates that an employee’s basic pay must be at least 50% of their total CTC. This is separate from the war news but is a major domestic change affecting Indian salaried workers’ take-home pay and PF contributions.
Q3: How does the Iran conflict affect petrol prices in India?
India imports a large portion of its oil from the Middle East. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz led to a spike in global crude prices. If the U.S. withdraws and the Strait reopens, experts believe petrol and diesel prices in India could drop by ₹5-₹10 per litre in the coming weeks.
Q4: Is it safe for tech employees in the Middle East?
The Iranian threat specifically mentions “regional units” of 18 U.S. firms. While security has been tightened in hubs like Dubai and Doha, companies are taking the IRGC’s threats seriously and have activated emergency evacuation protocols for non-essential staff.
Q5: What are “Operation Epic Fury” and “Tax Year 2026”?
“Operation Epic Fury” is the codename for the U.S. military offensive in Iran. “Tax Year 2026” refers to the new Indian tax system that also started today, replacing the old Financial Year/Assessment Year system with a single unified calendar for filing returns.